Valley Loop, Recharging, Jobs

Ever feel like you're being watched?

These gals were pretty interested when I went by the other day just outside of Port Williams. They started walking in my direction when I went by, so I went back and took some pics. Mainly becaue I grew up in Sussex, and find cows to be pretty neat.

Natures Rorschach cards.

My route was nearly 40km. I'd love to be able to know exactly how long I went and how fast and how long it took me, but some asshole ripped my bike-computer off my ride while I had it parked just outside of Bike Again a few weeks ago. But the route is below.

So I've been at the valley for the past two weeks now. Its nice to recharge the batteries for a while. Getting a lot of jogging and cycling done actually. Right now however, I am chomping at the bit to get back to the city and dig my heels into cycling issues again!

I've been to a couple interviews in the past week as well. I have a job --albeit tentatively-- at Shannex here in the Valley (nursing home). I also went for an interview at the Victoria General site in the city on a unit I would like to work at. I'm really hoping I can land the latter and move back to Halifax ASAP! Fingers crossed, but not very hopeful.

But I will keep this one short. Keep both wheels on the ground, folks!

Tee-Pees, Chickens, Car Shows and Herring Cove Road

Starting things off here. I've been away from Halifax for a while --spending some time in the Valley with the family. Before I left though, this Native Canadian meeting came to the Halifax Commons for the weekend. It was marked by these huge tee-pees which looked pretty cool! It made me wonder if tee-pees were really that big back in the day. At night, they lit them up with all sorts of different colours. It was really a magnificent sight!

For more info (and more cool pics) of this big meeting --dubbed Membertou 400-- click here or here!

It's been kind of weird to be back in the Valley so far this week. Right off the bat, I helped set up a chicken coup for my aunts father, and checked out a car show in downtown Kentville (see pics below). Aside from that, I've put about 70km into cycling this week. It's a lot easier to bike out here with less traffic lights and stop signs to hinder your ride.

Finally, last night a vote went to council to install bike lanes and reduce travel lanes on Herring Cove Road. I went in to check out the vote and see where the chips fell when it came to council support for cycling. Not only was the areas district councillor --Steve Adams-- against the idea, it became apparent that the business commission had been lobbying certain councillors for quite a while. Furthermore, Steve Adams seemed to have no problem flat-out lying to council and ignoring evidence indicating that lane reductions in Herring Cove Road would actually turn out being a good thing for local business. It's frustrating that benefit packed cycling still takes a backseat to the petty and baseless tactics of ignorant businesses. I hope this changes within the next couple years and we see real traction in active transportation in Halifax. If I had to based my hopes on the past performance of Halifax on this issue though... well let's just say I'm not going to hold my breath.